January 01 / 14.10 Musselburgh

14.10

Soft

Fitzdares New Years Day Novices’ Handicap Chase

  • Prize money: £4224.8
  • 2m 4f 68y
  • Class 5
  • 13 runners
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Fitzdares New Years Day Novices’ Handicap Chase

Runners: 13 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

28/1 (Won)

  • Win: £29.30
  • Place: £7.60

Form: F94-PP

Last run: 33 days

W: 11st 1lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
On a good mark, but pulled up on last two starts over hurdles in November (reportedly made a respiratory noise latest) and plenty to prove now going over fences.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

21st Mar 2023

Soft

2m 1f 43y

Class 5

15:50 Market Rasen

Large Action

11st 2lb

J: Bryony Frost

T: Roger Fell

in touch with leaders

11/2

1

21st Feb 2023

Good

2m 7f 191y

Class 5

16:15 Market Rasen

Large Action

12st 0lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Roger Fell

Returned to form with 13l win on chase debut at Musselburgh (2m4f, soft) on New Year's Day and bounced back from lesser run at Sedgefield with fair third at Musselburgh (2m4f, good to soft); there can be optimism he'll be fine now back up in trip and on the forecast good ground; not ruled out.

11/2

16/1

  • Place: £3.20

Form: 4-5804

Last run: 40 days

W: 10st 4lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
17-race maiden who was a fair fourth over 3m3f at Sedgefield on chase debut last time (soft); effective at this much short trip and has a an each-way chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

7

19th May 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 41y

Class 5

19:20 Hexham

Dr Shirocco

10st 2lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Sandy Forster

Veteran without a win since November 2024 but showed there was still fire in the tank when third over C&D 17 days ago; younger rivals may have his measure here, however.

12/1

3rd

10

2nd May 2026

Good

3m 0f 41y

Class 5

19:45 Hexham

Dr Shirocco

10st 5lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Sandy Forster

Has won four chases, including over C&D in May 2024 (good); best recent form has been at Musselburgh and he was below par over C&D last time (good).

14/1

6th

7

13th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 41y

Class 5

15:30 Hexham

Dr Shirocco

10st 10lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Sandy Forster

11yo whose losing run goes back 11 races to November 2024 but he ran pretty well off his lower hurdle mark at Musselburgh last month, following a break, and all four of his wins have come over fences (two of them here); not discounted back chasing.

10/1

16/1

  • Place: £6.70

Form: 2346-4

Last run: 243 days

W: 12st 1lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Has shown fair form over fences and on a good mark, but hasn't run since May and perhaps best watched on stable debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

6th Jan 2024

Soft

2m 4f 19y

Class 5

14:50 Newcastle

En Meme Temps

11st 11lb

J: Sam Coltherd

T: Susan Corbett

took keen hold, in touch with leaders, smooth headway before 3 out, led going best before 2 out, not fluent 2 out, nudged along approaching last, headed run-in, weakened inside final 110yds

5/1

5th

1

23rd Nov 2023

Heavy

2m 7f 91y

Class 5

13:50 Newcastle

En Meme Temps

12st 0lb

J: Sam Coltherd

T: Susan Corbett

Has modest 2-28 career strike-rate and is not the force of old but his chase win was gained on heavy ground and he posted a sound effort when second at Hexham (2m4f, soft) last month; tries a new trip here; contender if stamina holds out.

3/1

Form: 138-75 D

Last run: 10 days

W: 10st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Won twice over hurdles at Hexham last season (2m4f, good to soft/heavy) but mainly below form since; not shown much in two runs chasing and cheekpieces now tried.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

10

9th Sep 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 207y

Class 5

17:55 Perth

Shoughalls Boy

10st 2lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: Gary Rutherford

Comes here badly out of sorts, tried blinkered when pulled up (for the third start running) over C&D in July; it's easy to look elsewhere.

50/1

10

4th Jul 2024

Good

2m 7f 207y

Class 5

16:50 Perth

Shoughalls Boy

10st 2lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: Harriet Graham & Gary Rutherford

took keen hold, raced in second

33/1

8

1st Jun 2024

Heavy

2m 4f 28y

Class 5

18:35 Hexham

Shoughalls Boy

10st 2lb

J: Charlotte Jones

T: Harriet Graham & Gary Rutherford

Dual C&D winner in November/December 2021 (good to soft/heavy); rather disappointing since and probably best watched despite tumbling handicap mark (4lb wrong here).

33/1

OUR TIP

Form: 6-P123 D

Last run: 31 days

W: 10st 9lb

9 yo Mare

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Has taken well to chasing, winning at Perth in September (2m4f, good) and creditable runs both starts since; a contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

9

18th May 2023

Good To Soft

2m 4f 20y

Class 5

17:06 Perth

Shanbally Rose

10st 2lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Rose Dobbin

Won C&D handicap (good) last September but her form cooled during the winter and she was pulled up at Carlisle (2m5f, good to soft) on her return last month; chase record now stands at 1-9 and she needs to turn things around; cheekpieces added.

25/1

9

8th Apr 2023

Soft

2m 4f 198y

Class 5

14:30 Carlisle

Shanbally Rose

10st 7lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Rose Dobbin

Won a handicap at Perth (2m4f, good) last September and she went very close at Musselburgh (2m4f, good to soft) next time but her form has cooled in last two runs; chase record now stands at 1-8 and she needs to get back near her best after a break.

12/1

5th

9

1st Jan 2023

Soft

2m 4f 68y

Class 5

14:10 Musselburgh

Shanbally Rose

10st 9lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Rose Dobbin

Has taken well to chasing, winning at Perth in September (2m4f, good) and creditable runs both starts since; a contender.

5/1

Form: 5314-1 D

Last run: 37 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Stayed on strongly to win similar race at Doncaster on chase debut (3m, good) in November when eight fences were omitted due to the low sun; up 4lb; drop in trip may not be ideal.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

1st Nov 2025

Soft

3m 0f 20y

Class 5

13:23 Ayr

Everyday Champagne

11st 12lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: N W Alexander

Below par since the summer of 2024, although he has made the frame on several occasions; not entirely disgraced when third at Perth (2m4f, good) in September; likely to be thereabouts again but others appeal more for the win.

8/1

2

1st Nov 2025

Soft

3m 0f 20y

Class 5

13:23 Ayr

Everyday Champagne

11st 12lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: N W Alexander

Below par since the summer of 2024, although he has made the frame on several occasions; not entirely disgraced when third at Perth (2m4f, good) in September; likely to be thereabouts again but others appeal more for the win.

8/1

Form: 540-P2

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Showed best form to date when second (of two finishers) over 2m here on second chase start last time (soft; cheekpieces tried) despite bleeding from the nose; headgear on again and a contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

4

8th Nov 2023

Good To Soft

2m 4f 68y

Class 5

14:50 Musselburgh

Thunder In Milan

11st 8lb

J: Stephen Mulqueen

T: Lucinda Russell

Won over C&D (good to soft) in March and back on the scoresheet when doing it easily at Perth (2m4f, soft) in September; made two bad mistakes and was pulled up at Ayr (2m4f, good to soft) only on Saturday but remains of interest in view of that penultimate performance.

6/1

0

8

4th Nov 2023

Good To Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 4

13:07 Ayr

Thunder In Milan

10st 12lb

J: Stephen Mulqueen

T: Lucinda Russell

held up in rear, bad mistake 3rd, soon detached, recovered towards rear when bad mistake and dropped to last 10th, pulled up before 11th

3/1

1st

5

27th Sep 2023

Soft

2m 4f 20y

Class 5

15:30 Perth

Thunder In Milan

11st 0lb

J: Stephen Mulqueen

T: Lucinda Russell

Just held on to open account off 2lb lower at Musselburgh (2m4f, good to soft) in March and also ran well on his next two outings (2m5f/3m); has fitness to prove after 133-day break but still enters calculations.

5/1

Form: 646365

Last run: 69 days

W: 10st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
19-race maiden over hurdles and doesn't look to have an obvious chance from 3lb out of the handicap on his first run over fences.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

29th Jan 2023

Good To Soft

3m 2f 202y

Class 5

15:45 Sedgefield

New Zealander

10st 5lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Leonard Kerr

prominent

33/1

6th

9

9th Jan 2023

Soft

2m 5f 91y

Class 5

13:40 Ayr

New Zealander

10st 2lb

J: Edward Austin

T: Leonard Kerr

Has produced the odd fair performance but this longstanding maiden is 6lb out of the handicap and it's best to look elsewhere.

33/1

8th

12

1st Jan 2023

Soft

2m 4f 68y

Class 5

14:10 Musselburgh

New Zealander

10st 2lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Leonard Kerr

19-race maiden over hurdles and doesn't look to have an obvious chance from 3lb out of the handicap on his first run over fences.

40/1

Form: 351264 C

Last run: 41 days

W: 12st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Not been at his best on his last two runs over hurdles and so far isn't as good over fences (fell third here on latest chase start).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

3

30th Nov 2023

Good

2m 2f 40y

Class 5

14:35 Taunton

Idilico

11st 6lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Alexandra Dunn

Runner-up in selling handicap hurdle last month but well beaten on the Flat twice since, and his record over fences is not convincing; blinkers fitted for first time since 2021; too risky.

16/1

10th

6

(7)

18th Nov 2023

Standard

1m 7f 169y

Class 6

12:16 Lingfield (AW)

Idilico

9st 11lb

J: David Probert

T: Alexandra Dunn

towards rear, headway and prominent after 4f

16/1

66/1

Form: 6F-679

Last run: 33 days

W: 10st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Only modest effort over fences this season and no easy task from 5lb out of the handicap.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

10

26th Jan 2025

Soft

3m 2f 59y

Class 5

15:40 Sedgefield

Bannside

10st 2lb

J: William Maggs

T: Ian Duncan

in touch with leaders

50/1

7th

10

26th Jan 2025

Soft

3m 2f 59y

Class 5

15:40 Sedgefield

Bannside

10st 2lb

J: William Maggs

T: Ian Duncan

in touch with leaders

50/1

9

8th Nov 2024

Good

3m 0f 41y

Class 5

13:02 Hexham

Bannside

10st 2lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: Ian Duncan

Form is largely poor; yet to finish in the first five.

50/1

Form: 1-P232 D

Last run: 10 days

W: 11st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Ran well on second start over fences at Ayr last time (2m4f, good to soft), just being caught by an in-form rival (pair well clear) after looking the winner at the last; tongue-tie he wore that day is retained; should go well again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

9

4th Jul 2024

Good

2m 4f 35y

Class 4

15:48 Perth

Warriors Story

10st 6lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: N W Alexander

Winless since April 2022, and he beat only one in 3m handicap hurdle here 25 days ago; visor is reached for with lots to find.

16/1

10th

4

9th Jun 2024

Good

2m 7f 207y

Class 5

16:52 Perth

Warriors Story

11st 5lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: N W Alexander

prominent, pressed leader before 3rd

8/1

4

21st May 2024

Good

2m 4f 15y

Class 5

18:58 Hexham

Warriors Story

11st 7lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: N W Alexander

prominent, not fluent 2nd, lost position 7th, dropped to rear 9th

9/4

Form: 3635-6

Last run: 66 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Winning British pointer; rather disappointing over hurdles so plenty to prove on chase debut; hood now tried.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

23rd Feb 2023

Good

2m 1f 0y

Class 5

15:50 Sedgefield

Dondiam

11st 9lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: L J Morgan

Lightly raced; strong in the market when falling mid-race on chase debut and, despite being easier to back at Fakenham (2m, good), he might have gone close but for clouting the last; likely contender in first-time tongue-tie.

15/8

4th

4

2nd Feb 2023

Good

2m 0f 59y

Class 5

14:10 Fakenham

Dondiam

11st 12lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: L J Morgan

took keen hold, prominent

2/1

5

1st Jan 2023

Soft

2m 4f 68y

Class 5

14:10 Musselburgh

Dondiam

11st 7lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: L J Morgan

Winning British pointer; rather disappointing over hurdles so plenty to prove on chase debut; hood now tried.

7/2

Form: P7/40P

Last run: 46 days

W: 10st 8lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Well handicapped, but out of form over hurdles this season since returning from a 744-day break; plenty to prove on chase debut (ordinary form in two runs pointing in Ireland).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

5th Feb 2023

Good To Soft

2m 4f 68y

Class 5

15:25 Musselburgh

The Great Georgie

10st 8lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Jackie Stephen

Inconsistent maiden who has achieved little in handicap hurdles the last twice; worth a crack at chasing (has pointing experience) but he's not solid on form.

33/1

10

1st Jan 2023

Soft

2m 4f 68y

Class 5

14:10 Musselburgh

The Great Georgie

10st 8lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Jackie Stephen

Well handicapped, but out of form over hurdles this season since returning from a 744-day break; plenty to prove on chase debut (ordinary form in two runs pointing in Ireland).

40/1

14

8th Dec 2022

Good To Soft

2m 0f 46y

Class 5

14:52 Newcastle

The Great Georgie

10st 8lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Jackie Stephen

Fair fourth at Hexham (2m, good to soft) in September when back from a long absence; tailed off/pulled up since in his first two handicaps (both 2m4f, soft); it's possible he'll appreciate this return to better ground but he has plenty to prove.

50/1

Non-runners

The Great Georgie

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £313.70
Straight Forecast £215.23
Tricast £5626.67
Trifecta £2576.60

Selections

Telegraph:

Everyday Champagne

SPOTLIGHT:

Warriors Story

RP Ratings:

Shanbally Rose

D Express:

Dondiam

TOPSPEED:

En Meme Temps

The Times:

Idilico

The Star:

Everyday Champagne

Daily Mirror:

Warriors Story

Daily Record:

Warriors Story

POSTDATA:

Shanbally Rose

Daily Mail:

Shanbally Rose